Coolest little capital's Top 40 Museum

One of the world’s most popular arts publications has ranked Te Papa in its top 40 museums, above institutions like New York’s Guggenheim and the Getty Centre in Los Angeles.

The Art Newspaper, based in London, has just released its annual rankings of the world’s art museums. Te Papa’s 1.3 million visitors has earned it the 33rd highest visited in the world, and the highest ranked facility in Australasia. Exhibitions such as European Masters, Art from the Stadel Museum, E Tu Ake: Standing Strong and Brian Brake: Lens on the World attracted visitors from around the country and contributed to this success.

“Ironically, if the recommendation made by Wellington City councillors to cut $1.25 million dollars from their sponsorship investment for Te Papa is approved in June, this will have dramatic effects on Te Papa’s ability to deliver high profile exhibitions that create international recognition like this for itself and the city.”

Te Papa Chief Executive Michael Houlihan continued “We will be providing submissions to councillors that demonstrate the economic impact Te Papa delivers to Wellington, and the wide support we have from the business community.”